Frontiers in Neuroscience (Aug 2016)

TS-EUROTRAIN: A European-wide investigation and training network on the aetiology and pathophysiology of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome

  • Natalie J Forde,
  • Natalie J Forde,
  • Ahmad S Kanaan,
  • Ahmad S Kanaan,
  • Joanna Widomska,
  • Shanmukha S Padmanabhuni,
  • Ester Nespoli,
  • Ester Nespoli,
  • John Alexander,
  • Juan I Rodriguez Arranz,
  • Siyan Fan,
  • Siyan Fan,
  • Siyan Fan,
  • Rayan Houssari,
  • Muhammad S Nawaz,
  • Muhammad S Nawaz,
  • Nuno R Zilhão,
  • Nuno R Zilhão,
  • Luca Pagliaroli,
  • Luca Pagliaroli,
  • Francesca Rizzo,
  • Francesca Rizzo,
  • Tamas Aranyi,
  • Tamas Aranyi,
  • Csaba Barta,
  • Tobias M Boeckers,
  • Dorret I Boomsma,
  • Dorret I Boomsma,
  • Wim R Buisman,
  • Jan K Buitelaar,
  • Jan K Buitelaar,
  • Danielle Cath,
  • Andrea Dietrich,
  • Nicole Driessen,
  • Petros Drineas,
  • Michell Dunlap,
  • Sarah Gerasch,
  • Jeffrey C Glennon,
  • Bastian Hengerer,
  • Odile A van den Heuvel,
  • Odile A van den Heuvel,
  • Cathrine Jespersgaard,
  • Harald E Möller,
  • Kirsten R Müller-Vahl,
  • Thaïra Openneer,
  • Geert Poelmans,
  • Geert Poelmans,
  • Geert Poelmans,
  • Petra J W Pouwels,
  • Jeremiah M Scharf,
  • Hreinn Stefansson,
  • Zeynep Tümer,
  • Dick Veltman,
  • Ysbrand D van der Werf,
  • Pieter J Hoekstra,
  • Andrea Ludolph,
  • Peristera Paschou

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2016.00384
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

Read online

Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS) is characterised by the presence of multiple motor and phonic tics with a fluctuating course of intensity, frequency and severity. Up to 90% of patients with GTS present with comorbid conditions, most commonly attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), thus providing an excellent model for the exploration of shared aetiology across disorders. TS-EUROTRAIN (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN, Grant Agr.No.316978) is a Marie Curie Initial Training Network (http://ts-eurotrain.eu) that aims to elucidate the complex aetiology of the onset and clinical course of GTS, investigate the neurobiological underpinnings of GTS and related disorders, translate research findings into clinical applications and establish a pan-European infrastructure for the study of GTS. This includes the challenges of (i) assembling a large genetic database for the evaluation of the genetic architecture with high statistical power; (ii) exploring the role of gene-environment interactions including the effects of epigenetic phenomena; (iii) employing endophenotype-based approaches to understand the shared aetiology between GTS, OCD and ADHD; (iv) establishing a developmental animal model for GTS; (v) gaining new insights into the neurobiological mechanisms of GTS via cross-sectional and longitudinal neuroimaging studies; and (vi) partaking in outreach activities including the dissemination of scientific knowledge about GTS to the public. Fifteen partners from academia and industry and twelve PhD candidates pursue the project. Our ultimate aims are to elucidate the complex aetiology and neurobiological underpinnings of GTS, translate research findings into clinical applications and establish Pan-European infrastructure for the study of GTS and associated disorders.

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